Oscar Wilde - The Canterville Ghost

churchyard [`t∫ə:t∫jα:d ] service [`sə:vis ] ceremony [`seriməni ]

A deep grave had been dug in the corner of the churchyard, just under the old yew-tree, and the service was read in the most impressive manner by the Rev. Augustus Dampier. When the ceremony was over, the servants, according to an old custom observed in the Canterville family, extinguished their torches, and, as the coffin was being lowered into the grave, Virginia stepped forward, and laid on it a large cross made of white and pink almond-blossoms.

As she did so (в то время как она делала это) , the moon came out from behind a cloud (луна вышла из-за тучи) , and flooded with its silent silver the little churchyard (и залила своим серебристым светом маленькое кладбище) , and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing (и в отдаленном подлеске начал петь соловей; copse — роща; подлесок; кустарник) . She thought of the ghost's description of the Garden of Death (она вспомнила описание Сада Смерти, данное призраком) , her eyes became dim with tears (ее глаза наполнились слезами) , and she hardly spoke a word during the drive home (и она не сказала почти ни одного слова во время поездки домой) .

copse[kops] description[dis`krip∫n] word [wə:d]

As she did so, the moon came out from behind a cloud, and flooded with its silent silver the little churchyard, and from a distant copse a nightingale began to sing. She thought of the ghost's description of the Garden of Death, her eyes became dim with tears, and she hardly spoke a word during the drive home.

The next morning (на следующее утро) , before Lord Canterville went up to town (прежде чем лорд Кентервиль уехал в город) , Mr. Otis had an interview with him on the subject of the jewels (мистер Отис встретился с ним, чтобы поговорить о драгоценностях; subject — тема) the ghost had given to Virginia (которые призрак отдал Вирджинии) . They were perfectly magnificent (они были совершенно великолепны) , especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting (особенно рубиновое ожерелье в старинной венецианской оправе) , which was really a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work (которое было действительно восхитительным образцом работы шестнадцатого века) , and their value was so great (и их стоимость была настолько высока) that Mr. Otis felt considerable scruples (что мистер Отис почувствовал значительное сомнение) about allowing his daughter to accept them (относительно права его дочери принять их) .

interview [`intəvju: ] value [`vælju: ] scruples [skru:plz ]

The next morning, before Lord Canterville went up to town, Mr. Otis had an interview with him on the subject of the jewels the ghost had given to Virginia. They were perfectly magnificent, especially a certain ruby necklace with old Venetian setting, which was really a superb specimen of sixteenth-century work, and their value was so great that Mr. Otis felt considerable scruples about allowing his daughter to accept them.

"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as well as to land (я знаю, что в этой стране существует право юридического лица, применимое к безделушкам, так же как и к земле) and it is quite clear to me (и мне совершенно ясно) that these jewels are (что эти драгоценности являются) , or should be (или должны быть) , heirlooms in your family (предметами наследства вашей семьи) . I must beg you, accordingly (соответственно, я должен попросить вас) , to take them to London with you (взять их с собой в Лондон) , and to regard them simply as a portion of your propertу (и рассматривать их просто как часть вашей собственности) which has been restored to you under certain strange conditions (которая была возвращена вам при определенных странных условиях) . As for my daughter (что касается моей дочери) , she is merely a child (она еще совсем ребенок) , and has as yet, I am glad to say (и пока что проявляет, я рад сказать) , but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury (мало интереса к предметам праздной роскоши) .

apply [ə`plαi ] heirloom [`εəlu:m ] luxury [`lλk∫əri ]

"My lord," he said, "I know that in this country mortmain is held to apply to trinkets as well as to land, and it is quite clear to me that these jewels are, or should be, heirlooms in your family. I must beg you, accordingly, to take them to London with you, and to regard them simply as a portion of your property which has been restored to you under certain strange conditions. As for my daughter, she is merely a child, and has as yet, I am glad to say, but little interest in such appurtenances of idle luxury.

I am also informed by Mrs. Otis (я также был проинформирован миссис Отис) , who, I may say, is no mean authority upon Art (которая, я могу сказать, является неплохим знатоком искусства) — having had the privilege of spending several winters in Boston (после того, как она провела несколько зим в Бостоне) when she was a girl (когда она была молодой девушкой) , — that these gems are of great monetary worth (что эти драгоценности имеют высокую стоимость; monetary — монетный, денежный; worth — цена, стоимость, ценность) , and if offered for sale would fetch a tall price (и будучи выставлены на продажу, могли бы принести много денег; a tall price — высокая цена) .